[Nutritive value of the diet of infants and small children at home and Homes for Small Children in comparison with the current dietary recommendations].

Energy and nutrients intake was evaluated in the groups of artificially fed infants, brought up in families and in "Homes for Small Children". The method of dietary survey and infants groups are described in previous paper (Dłuzniewska et al. 1980). For the purpose of accurate estimation of intakes by 24-hour recall method, the models od spoons, and food items as well as photographs of dishes are used. The individual inventory-weighing method in dietary observations in "Homes for Small Children" is regarded as giving the most accurate assessment of food intake. Mean daily energy intake expressed either as kcal (kJ) per child or per kg body weight is in families feeding higher than the recommended intakes (National Research Institute of Mother and Child), the difference beeing the greatest in infants aged 1-3 months. In the "Homes for Small Children" mean daily energy intakes if infants below 9 months is lower than recommended. A twofold variation is observed in intakes between individuals in the same age-group. Mean protein intake is in "Homes for Small Children" similar to recommended allowances, but higher in infants brought up in families; higher is also carbohydrate intake in this group of infants especially at 1 and 2 months. These date are confirmed by the finding of higher nutrient concentration and higher energy content of milk formulas, as prepared by mothers. The further observations of development and body composition of infants in groups, receiving milk formulas of low or high energy concentration may help in the evaluation of the effects of formulas concentration for present and future health of the surveyed children.